Electrical converter

• US 9,345,150 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2011
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Fukumasu, Keisuke, Torigoe, Makoto, Nakajima, Kenichiro, Takahashi, Masayoshi, Funato, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US13/976,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20130294040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/10 Air crafts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/32 Waterborne vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/0094 Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/44 Circuits or arrangements for compensating for electromagnetic interference in converters or inverters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14322 wherein the control and power circuits of a power converter are arranged within the same casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Radiated noise caused by switching noise of power semiconductor elements in an electrical converter is reduced. The electrical converter is characterized in comprising: a case; a power module mounted on the case and comprising a plurality of power semiconductor elements; a metal plate mounted to the power module and fixed to the case; a control circuit board arranged on the metal plate, for controlling the power semiconductor elements; and a direct-current input terminal electrically connected to a battery. The electrical converter is also characterized in being provided at the bottom with a transmission or motor, and at the top with a connector for connecting the battery and the direct-current input terminal. The electrical converter is further characterized in that the metal plate is curved, and a portion of the curved metal plate is arranged in the space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminal.

Claims

1. An electrical converter comprising:

a case;

a power module mounted on the case and provided with a plurality of power semiconductor elements;

a metal plate mounted to the power module and fixed to the case;

a control circuit board disposed on the metal plate which controls the power semiconductor elements;

direct-current input terminals electrically connected to a battery;

a transmission or a motor is provided at a bottom of the electrical converter, and

a metal top cover that accommodates a connector which connects the battery and the direct-current input terminals is provided at a top of the electrical converter, wherein

a portion of the metal plate is curved toward the metal top cover, and the portion of the curved metal plate is arranged in a space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminals.

2. The electrical converter according to claim 1, wherein

the curved metal plate comprises a first section arranged on a plane over the control circuit board and a second section arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first section.

3. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

the direct-current input terminals comprise a battery negative electrode-side connection terminal section and a battery positive electrode-side connection terminal section, and

each of the direct-current input terminals is covered by a radio wave absorbent.

4. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

a dielectric material is inserted between the direct-current input terminals and the second section of the metal plate.

5. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

a portion of the case is arranged in the space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminal.

6. The electrical converter according to claim 2, wherein

the metal plate is provided with a third section connected to the second section so as to cover the connector.

7. The electrical converter according to claim 6, wherein

the third section is formed on a surface parallel to a surface of the control circuit board so as to cover the connector.